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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



MER] 



SERVICES 



FOR THE USE OF THE 



Grand Army of the Republic 



:*^^„^, 



OF COV 



MAY 20 18B4 M )- 



HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, 
PHILADELPHIA, PA, 

April, 18844. 



C'^^.C 



./ 



Copyright, 1884, by Robert P.. Beath, Coininandei-in-Chief 
Grand Army of the Repuhhc. 



SERVICES. 



I. Mkmorial Day, 

Memorial Day at Cp:mi:ti:ky, 
Memorial Day Pur.i.ic Exercises 
II. Dedication 

III. Burial of the Di:ad, 

IV. Memorial, .... 
V. Installation of Offici:ks, . 

VI. Form of Insppxtion, 



PAGE 

7 
1 1 

15 
25 
35 
43 
49 
61 



THY U-BKB MEN SHALL LIVE -5/^/^. 



FOR THE 



OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY, 



IT IS SWEET AND HDNnRAELE TD DIE FDR ONE'S 
C DUNTRY —Horace. 



SER¥ICES FOR MEMORmi DHY, 



[Thf: Post will assemble, at tlie order of the Post 
Commander, in the Post Hall (or elsewhere), all com- 
rades in uniform. The officers (if in the Post Hall) 
will take their usual stations.] 

Commander. — Sergeant- Major {Jie rises and salutes, llie 

CommandeJ' returning salute), you will prepare for 

parade. (The Sergeant-Major will then form the 

Post in line, two ranks.) 

Sergeant-Major. — Commander, the Post is formed. 

Commander.-— Officer of the Day, you will ascertain if 

all in the ranks are comrades of the G. A. R. 
Officer of the Day. — All in the ranks are comrades 

of the G. A. R. 
Commander. — Adjutant, you will present the officers. 
{The Adjutant ivill eoniniand, '^Officers to the front 
and centre. ' ' Will place himself three paces in front 
and opposite centre of the line, the remaining officers 
will form on the rigJit and left of the Adjutant, facing 
the P. C, as follows: S. V. C, Surgeon, Chaplain, 
Adjutant, O. D., Q. M., O. G.,J. V. C. 
Adju TANT. — Officers, Present Arms. 
Commander. — {^Unless he has special orders for officers, 
ivill say :) Officers, to your stations. (^Officers luill 
take their places in line^ Chaplain one pace to left and 
front of the Commander, Adjutant one pace to right 
and rear.) 



Commander. — The Chaplain will invoke the Divine 
blessing. Parade, rest ! 

Chaplain. — Almighty Father ! humbly we bow before 
Thee, our Creator, Preserver, Guide, and Pro- 
tector. We thank Thee for our lives ; for the 
mercy which has kept us until this hour; for Thy 
guidance in our marches by day and by night ; for 
Thy constant care in the hour of danger ; and for 
the preservation of our national integrity and 
unity. Be graciously near to our comrades who 
suffer from disease or wounds, and to the widows 
and orphans of those who fell in our holy cause ; in 
all distress comfort them, and give us willing hearts 
and ready hands to supply their needs. Grant that 
the memory of our noble dead, who freely gave 
their lives for the land they loved, may dwell ever 
in our hearts. Bless our country ; bless our Order ; 
make it an instrument of great good ; keep our 
names on the roll of Thy servants, and at last re- 
ceive us into that Grand Army above, where Thou, 
O God, art the Supreme Commander. 

Comrades. — Amen ! 

Commander. — Attention ! Adjutant, you will read 

the orders for the day. 

[The Adjutant will then read the order of the Post 
Commander, and the National and Department orders 
for Memorial Day (unless these are to be read in the 
general services in the cemetery); also order of exer- 
cises, details for decoration of graves, etc., etc.] 

Commander. —Comrades, the duty of to day is of im- 
pressive significance. We meet to honor our dead 



SERVICES FOR MEMORIAE DAY. 



and to deepen our reverence for their worth ; to 
strengthen among ourselves the bond of fraternity 
by recalHng the memory of experiences connnon to 
us all; to encourage a more generous charity for 
our comrades who are sick or in distress, and for 
the destitute wards of the Grand Army ; to renew 
our pledge of loyalty to our country and our flag, 
and to emphasize in the minds and hearts of all 
who may unite with us the privilege and duty of 
patriotism. 

It is expected that throughout our services each 
one will manifest the most courteous and reverent 
decorum. Let our soldierly deportment be such 
that we may worthily honor the graves we deco- 
rate, the memories we cherish, the flag we salute, 
and the Grand Army to which we belong. 

[Should it have been necessary for comrades who 
had been detailed at a regular Post meeting for any 
special service to perform such duty previous to this 
parade, the Commander will call for their report. 

Should it be necessary for such details to attend to 
the duty assigned them after parade, the Commander 
will announce the time and place of re-assembling, and 
then order, ''Parade dismissed!" 

* If the Post is to decorate the graves in a body, the 
Commander, after the above address, will order the 
Post to move in column by fours to the place where 
such decoration is to take place. The music on parade 
to and from the graves shall be that oi fife and drum. 
If a band is desired, it shall be used only on street 
parade after decoration, on the way to the hall or grove 



See Special Service at Cemetery, page ii, 



SERVICES FOR MEMORIAL DAY 



where the memorial address is to be made, at that 
place, and on the return to the Post Hall or place of 
assembly. 

When the Post in a body decorates graves, or when, 
after the decoration of graves by detachments, the Post 
assembles for service in the cemetery, or when a ceno- 
taph is decorated to the unknown (or unreturned) on 
some parade-ground, a firing party with three rounds of 
blank cartridges shall be detailed to do escort duty, 
who shall march with arms reversed, unloaded; and at 
the cemetery or cenotaph, or at some other convenient 
place, after the decoration of graves and cenotaph has 
been completed, the Commander shall order the officer 
in charge of the firing party, ''Salute the dead !" And 
that officer sliall order, ''Recover, arms ! Order, arms !" 
etc., to "Fire!" 

The Commander shall then dismiss the parade, or 
take up the line of marc h to Post Hall, and then dis- 
miss to such time as further exercises shall be had, 
unless such exercises proceed immediately. 

'^ These exercises are supposed to be more public in 
their character.] 




SPECmi SERVICE HT CEMETERY, 



[Should there be this special service, the address of 
the Commander beginning "Comrades, the duty of 
to-day is of impressive significance," will not be given 
until the Post, band or choir, and attendant friends 
have taken t:eir position about some monument or 
grave. Then this service shall be used.] 

Commander. — "Comrades, the duty of to-day," etc. 
(See page 8.) 

Music. — By band or choir. 

Chaplain. — Let us pray. Almighty God, in the name 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who brought life and im- 
mortality to light, we bow before Thee on this 
Memorial Day. We thank Thee that out from 
the carnage of war we have come to these days of 
peace. We thank Tliee that the valor, and devo- 
tion, and sacrifice unto death of those whose mem- 
ories we revere vindicate our exj)ectations that no 
threat against our country's honor shall ever be 
accomplished; but as in the past thou didst give 
to our dead the spirit of fidelity and of heroism, so 
Thou wilt give to those steadfast in the cause of 
human rights and liberty, of law and order, of 
social justice and national rectitude, Thy wisdom 



to direct, Thy might to strengthen, Thy love to 
bless 

O God, teach "us to honor our dead by serving 
the country for which they died. O God, teach us 
to be grateful to our dead for what they wrought 
for us by our ready helpfulness of those, the widow 
and orphan, whose right it is to mourn. O God, 
teach us to decorate the graves of our dead not 
only with a tribute beautiful and fragrant, that 
must fade, but with that fraternity whose love shall 
endure, with that charity that is fruitful of good 
works, with that loyalty which, while true to our 
country's flag, is supremely devoted to the cross^ 
the symbol of our faith. 

We thank Thee for peace: that the anger of can- 
non no longer burdens the air, that the gleam of 
the sabre and bayonet no longer blinds the eyes, 
that the passion of war is stilled, and that mercy 
ministers to those who have submitted to the au- 
thority of the nation. May we give them a soldier's 
pardon, not forgetting the wrong that was done in 
the charity we accord. 

Continue, we pray Thee, the memory of the dead ; 
strengthen, we pray Thee, the hearts of the living ; 
blesS; we pray Thee, our whole people, that it may 
be a nation whose God is the Lord; deepen and 
ennoble that faith that shall make the Grand Army 
of the Republic the color-guard of the nation's 
patriotism, and let our country now and forever be 
the ''land of the free and the home of the brave." 
And to the end that all for which we pray may be 



SPECIAL SERVICE AT CEMETERY. 



wrought out in us effectually, grant, O God, that by 
Thy grace we may be enlisted in Thy great army 
of the redeemed, under Jesus Christ the Captain 
of our salvation. Amen ! 
Commander. — To-day is the festival of our dead. We 
unite to honor the memory of our brave and our 
beloved, to enrich and ennoble our lives by recall- 
ing a public heroism and a private worth that are 
immortal, to encourage by our solemn service a 
more zealous and stalwart patriotism. Festival of 
the dead ! Yes, though many eyes are clouded 
with tears, though many hearts are heavy with 
regret, though many lives are still desolate because 
of the fother or brother, the husband or lover, who 
did not come back ; though every grave, which a 
tender reverence or love adorns with flowers, is the 
shrine of a sorrow whose influence is still potent 
though its first keen poignancy has been dulled, — 
despite of all, to-day is a festival, a festival of 
our dead ; no less a festival because it is full of 
solemnity. 

And now, as in this silent camping ground of our 
dead, with soldierly tenderness and love, we gar- 
land these passionless mounds, let us recall those 
who made their breasts the barricade between our 
country and its foes. Let us recall their toils, their 
sufferings, their heroism, their supreme fidelity in 
camp, in prison-pen, on the battle-field and in hos- 
pital, that the flag under which they fought and 
from the shadows of whose folds they were pro- 
moted may never be dishonored ; that the country 



14 SPECIAL SERVICE AT CEMETERY. 



for whose union and supremacy they surrendered 
life nia\- have the fervent and enthusiastic devotion 
of every ciiizen ; that, as we stand by every grave as 
before an altar, we may pledge our manhood that, 
so help us God, the memory of our dead shall en- 
courage and strengthen in us all a more loyal 
patriotism. 

Officer of the Day {p?- comrade to 7vhom the duty has 
been assigned). — In your name, my comrades, I 
scatter (or deposit) these memorial flowers u})on 
this gra\e (or monument), which represents the 
graves of all who died in the sacred cause of our 
country. Our floral tribute shall wither. Let the 
tender fraternal love for which it stands endure 
until the touch of death shall chill the warm pulse- 
beat of our hearts. 

Chaplain {or comrade to 7ohoni the duty has been as- 
signed). — Comrades, by this service, without dis- 
tinction of race or creed, we renew our pledge to 
exercise a spirit of fraternity among ourselves, of 
charity to the destitute wards of the Grand Army, 
and of loyalty to the authority and union of the 
United States of America, and to our glorious flag, 
under whose folds every Union soldier's or sailor's 
grave is the altar of patriotism. 

Comrades. — Amen ! 

Commander (Jo the officer in cJiargc of tiie firing party). 
— Salute the dead ! 

Officer — Recover, arms ! Order, arms ! etc. Fire ! 

Hymn. — " My country, 'tis of thee." 

Benediction. 



PUBLIC EXERCISES, 



[This service is meant especially for public halls, 
although the special service at cemetery could be used, 
excepting what is said by the Officer of the Day and 
Chaplain in the act of decoration. The Scripture read- 
ing in this service could be introduced into the Special 
Service at cemetery if no further public exercises are to 
be had. 

The audience is supposed to be seated. The Post 
enters in uniform, and, covered, file into the space be- 
fore the seats they are to occupy. The Commander, 
standing just before the Post, or upon the platform 
where invited guests, orator, and Chaplain are seated, 
says : ] 

Commander. — Attention ! Post, , Dept. 

, G. A. R. The Adjutant will read memorial 

orders from headquarters. (^Adjutant then reads 
such par/s of Orders fro?n Department Headquar 
ters and National Headquarters as may have been 
previously designated by the Commander.') 

Commander. — Obedience is a soldier's duty. It is 
n3t, however, merely in obedience to the order [or 
orders] read that we assemble here. The most 
generous instincts of our hearts prompt us to do 
what the orders from headquarters command. 
This dav commemorates a valor on sea and on land 



1 6 PUBLIC EXERCISES. 



that is illustrious. This day is eloquent with a 
patriotism which did not speak only from the lips. 
This day is sacred with the almost visible presence 
of those who^ out of prison-pens and hospitals, 
from camps and battle-fields, have joined the in- 
numerable company of those who muster to-day 
upon the parade-ground of heaven. Comrades, 
Salute the dead ! 

[At this command, every comrade and the Com- 
mander will place his left hand upon his heart and 
raise his hat with his right hand. Standing so for a 
moment in silence, the Commander, letting his left 
hand drop to his side, and replacing his hat on his 
head, will say:] 

Commander. — Attention ! (A brief pause. ^ Uncover, 

(yA brief pause.') One rap. 
Commander {r-evioving his hat after the Post is seated, 

will say .•) 

Friends: As Commander of this Post, I wel- 
come you, in the name of my comrades, to this 
public service. To us, this is the memorial 
day of stalwart bravery, of patriotic heroism, of 
national faith. It is the freedom day of a race eman- 
cipated from bondage, and of a nation redeemed 
from iniquity. It is dear to every soldier. It deep- 
ens in our hearts a memory of our brave and our 
beloved, — the grand army of the immortals ; and 
that memory makes precious to us the badge of the 
G. A. R., which we w^ear upon our breasts. 

May we join so reverently in these exercises, 



PUliLIC EXERCISES. 1 7 



that what we call Memorial day may be to our 
dead their day of coronation. 
Music. — By band or choir [such as '' Keller's American 

Hymn"]. 
Commander. — The significance of this day is not with- 
out the indorsement of Holy Scripture. Hear 
what may well apply to our 

G. A. R. AND THE Flag. 
The Lord gave the word : great was the army of 
those that published it. Ps. Ixviii. ii. 

Declare ye among the nations, and jniblish, and 
set up a standard. Jer. 1. 2. 

In the name of our God we will set up our ban- 
ners. Ps. XX. 5. 

I cannot hold my peace, because Thou hast 
heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the 
alarm of war. Jer. iv. 19. 
Commander. — Senior Vice-Commander, what words of 
Holy Scripture may refer to the 

Navy ? 

S. V. C. — They that go down to the sea in ships, that 
do business in great waters: these all see the works 
of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For 
He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, 
which lifteth up the waves thereof. Then they cry 
unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth 
them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm 
a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then 
are they glad because they be quiet ; so He bringeth 



I 8 PUBLIC EXERCISES. 

them unto their desired haven Oh, that men 
would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for 
His Avonderful works to the children of men I Ps. 
cvii. 23, 24, 25, 28-32. 
Commander. — Junior Vice-Commander, what Scripture 
may apply to the 

Army ? 

J. V. C. — To your tents, O Israel. So all Israel went 
to their tents. 2 Chron. x. 16. The children of 
Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own 
camp, and every man by his own standard, through- 
out their hosts. Num. i. 52. Thou hast given a 
banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be dis- 
l)layed because of the truth. Ps. Ix. 4. The Lord 
shall utter His voice before His army : for His camp 
is very great : for he is strong that executeth His 
word ; for the day of the Lord is great and very 
terrible: and who can abide it ? Joel ii. 11. 
Hear, () Israel, ye approach this day unto battle 
against your enemies : let not your hearts faint, 
fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified 
because of them : for the Lord your God is He that 
goeth with you, to fight with you against your ene- 
mies, to save you. Deut. xx. 3, 4. Some trust in 
chariots, and some in horses ; but we will remem- 
ber the name of the Lord our God. Ps. xx. 7. 

Commander. — Officer of the Day, if the work of the 
navy and army is well done, what proclamation 
from Holy Writ can you make? 

O. D. — A proclamation of 



PUBLIC EXERCISES. 1 9 



Peace. 
Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou 
also hath wrought all our works in us. Isaiah 
xxvi. I 2. 

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet 
of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth 
peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that 
publisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy 
God reigneth ! The Lord hath made bare His holy 
arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends 
of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 
Isaiah lii. 7, 10. 

Commander. — Even witk such a peace, something re- 
mains for us to consider. Chaplain, tell us of 
The Nation and ns Dead. 

Chaplain. — Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord, 
Thou hast increased the nation; Thou art glorified; 
Thou hast removed it far unto all the ends of the 
earth. Thy dead men shall live: together witli my 
dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, )c 
that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew 
of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 
Isaiah xxvi. 15, 19. 

He will swallow up death in victory; and the 
Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces: 
and the rebuke of His people shall He take away 
from off all the land; for the Lord hath spoken it. 
Isaiah xxv. 8. In that day shall this song be sung 
in the land of Judah: We have a strong city, sal- 
vation will God appoint for walls and ])ul\varks. 
Isaiah xxvi. i. 



PUliLIC EXERCISES. 



Commander. — And, as an end to all, what is to be our 

VlC "K )RV ? 

Chaplain. — This is the victory that overcometh the 
world, even our faith, i John v. 4. Finally, my 
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power 
of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, 
that ye may Ije able to stand against the wiles of the 
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 
but against principalities, against powers, against 
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against 
spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore 
take unto you the whol? armor of God, that )e 
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and hav- 
ing done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having 
your loins girt about with truth, and having on the 
breast plate of righteousness; and your feet sliod 
with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above 
all, taking the shield of foilh, wherewith ye shall be 
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of 
the Spirit, which isthe word of God. Eph. \'i. 10-18. 

War a good warfare, holding faith and a good 
conscience, i Tim. i. 18, 19. 

Our Saviour Jesus Christ hath abolished death, 
and hath brought life and immortality to liglit 
through the gospel. 2 Tim. i. 10. Thou, there- 
fore, endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ. 2 Tim. ii. 3. 

For this mortal must put on immortality. So 
when this mortal shall have i)ut on immortality. 



PUBLIC EXERCISES. 21 



then shall be brought to pass the saying that is 
written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O 
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy 
victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength 
of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which 
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
I Cor. XV. 53-58. 

Commander. — Attention ! Post, . After 

such words from Holy Scripture, it is fitting now 

that we invoke the Divine blessing. Parade, rest I 
Chaplain. — '' Almighty God, in the name of our Lord 

Jesus Christ, who brought life and immortality to 

light," etc. (See page ii.) 
Comrades. — Amen ! 
Commander. — Attention ! {One rap.^ 
Music. — By band or choir. 

Address. — By . 

Music. — By band or choir, closing with the national 

ode, '' America " 
Commander. — Chaplain, pronounce the benediction. 
Chaplain. — The grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 

Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the 

Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen ! 
Comrades. — Amen ! 

[The Post may now be dismissed. It is better, how- 
ever, after requesting the audience to remain seated, for 
the Post to take up line of march to Post Hall, or some 
other convenient place, and there be dismissed.] 



DEDICATION 



SOLDIEI^S' AND SaILOIIS' IEM01|IAL, 



DEDICATION SERVICES. 



[The Post shall escort the city or town officials and 
invited guests from some designated place of assembly 
to the monument or hall where the exercises are to be 
had. The city or town officials and invited guests are 
to be seated on the platform. At the front of the plat- 
form is an altar, over which is thrown an American flag 
on which are two swords crossed, the hilts towards the 
Commander, or president of the day, and on the swords 
an open Bible. The Post is drawn up in front of the 
platform, and, if out of doors, as near the memorial as 
possible.] 

Music. — By choir or band. 

The mayor, chairman of the selectmen, or the president 

of the day, in a few w^ords, surrenders the memorial 

to the Post for dedication. 

[For eximple : Commander Post, , Dept. 

G. A. R. : I have been authorized to invite you 



at this time to accept from the citizens of , at the 

hands of its accredited representatives, this memorial, 
and to request that it may be dedicated by you to the 
noble purpose for which it has been set up (or erected).] 

(Commander. — Mr. Mayor \or Chair ma ii of tJie Board 
of Selectmen, or President of tJie Day\ : In the name 
of my comrades of the Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic, representing as they do all soldiers and sailors 
who defended the integrity and authority of the 
nation, I thank you, and those whom you represent, 
for this memorial shaft [or statue, or tablet, etc.]. 



26 DEDICATION SERVICES. 

Its very silence is impressive. Without articulate 
s})eech, it is eloquent. It needs no words. It is 
itself an oration. It assures us that our dead are 
held in remembrance, — those dead who gave their 
lives for the security of the citizen and the union 
of the States. It is significant of brave and loyal 
obedience to the command of the nation always 
and everywhere, since the obligations of citizen- 
ship are not restricted to time or place, or to the 
conflict of arms. It gives encouragement for the 
future, since the recognition and ai)proval it gives 
of patriotic fidelity and heroism will be an in- 
centive for the display of public valor and virtue 
in all coming time. 

There can be no doubt that the honor you pay 
to the patriot dead, and to their memorable deeds, 
will serve not only to make American citizenship 
in these days more reputable, but also to maintain 
and perpetuate, through all future generations, the 
union and authority of the United States of America. 
Adjutant, you will detail a guard of honor. 

Adjutant (^i-eads a list of names, each man, as his name 
is called, answering '^ Here I "). — Commander, the 
guard is present. 

Commander. — Officer of the Day, you will direct the 
Officer of the Guard to station this detail near [or 
about] the memorial shaft [statue, tablet, etc.]. 

Commander. — Holy Scripture saith : The Lord gave 
the word ; great was the army of those that pub- 
lished it. Ps. Ixviii. II. 



DEDICATION SERVICES. 27 



Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and 
set up a standard. Jer. 1. 2. 

In the name of our God we will set up our ban- 
ners. Ps. XX. 5. 

Officer of the Day, you will order the guard of 
honor to raise [or display] our flag. 
Officer of the Day. -Officer of the Guard, let the 

flag be raised [or displayed]. 
Music— Band or choir, "Star Spangled Banner." 
Commander.— The forces of the nation are divided 
into two great arms, that of the navy and that of 
the army. Senior Vice-Commander, what words 
of Holy Scripture may apply to the 
Navy ? 
g^_ V. C— They that go down to the sea in ships, that 
do business in great waters : these see all the works 
of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For 
He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, 
which lifteth up the waves thereof. Then they cry 
unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth 
them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm 
a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then 
are they glad because they be quiet; so He bring- 
eth them unto their desired haven. Oh, that men 
would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for 
His wonderful works to the children of men. Ps. 
cvii. 23, 24, 25, 28-32. 
CoMMANDER.-Officer of the Day, let the guard of 
honor set up the symbol of the navy, and let a 
sailor be detailed to guard it. 



28 DEDICATION SERVICES. 

[An anchor is then set up agai?ist the shaft, crossed 
witli a cutlass or boarding-pike. A comrade, dressed 
as a sailor, stands guard with drawn cutlass.] 

Commander. — Junior Vice-Commander, what wScripture 
may apply to flie 

Army ? 

J. V. C. — To your tents, O Israel So all Israel went 
to their tents. 2 Chron. x. 16. The children of 
Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own 
camp, and every man by his own standard, through- 
out their hosts. Num. i. 52. Thou hast given a 
banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be dis- 
played because of the truth. Ps. Ix. 4. The Lord 
shall utter His voice before His army; for His 
camp is very great ; for he is strong that executeth 
His word; for the day of the Lord is great and 
very terrible: and who can abide it? Joel ii. 11. 
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we 
will remember the name of the Lord our God. 
Ps. XX. 7. 

Commander. — Officer of the Day, let the guard of 
honor set up the symbol of the army, and let a 
soldier be detailed to guard it. 

[A musket with fixed bayonet, canteen and haversack 
hanging from it, knapsack leaning against the stock, is 
set up against the shaft opposite to the anchor. A com- 
rade in full soldier uniform, armed with a musket with 
fixed bayonet, stands guard.] 

Commander. — Officer of the Day, if the work of the 
navy and army be well done, what proclamation 
from Holy Scripture can you make ? 



DKJJKATIOX SP:RVICES. 29 



Officer of the Day. — A proclamation of peace. 

Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us : for Tiiou 
also hath wrought all our works in us. Isaiah xxvi. 
12. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet 
of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth 
peace ; that bringeth good tidings ofgood; that pub- 
lisheth salvation ; that sayeth unto Zion, Thy God 
reigneth ! The Lord hath made bare His holy arm 
in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of 
the earth shall see the salvation of our Gjd. 
Isaiah lii. 7, 10. 

Commander.— The Chaplain will now offer the prayer 
of dedication. 

Chaplain.— Almighty God, we thank Thee for Thy sov- 
ereign care and protection, in that Thou didst lead 
us in the days that were shadowed with trouble, 
and gavest us strength when the burden was heavy 
upon us, and gavest us courage and guidance, so 
that after the conflict we have come to these days 
of peace. We thank Thee that the "wrath of war 
has been stilled, that brother no longer strives 
against brother, that once again we have one coun- 
try and one flag. 

May Thy blessing be upon us as a people, that 
we may be Thy people, true and righteous in all our 
ways, tender and patient in our charity, though 
resolute for the right; careful more for the down- 
trodden than for ourselves, eager to forward the in- 
terests of every citizen throughout the land, so that 
our country may be indeed one country from the 
rivers to the seas, from the mountains to the plains 



30 DEDICATION SERVICES. 



We pray Thee to make our memories steadfast, 
that we may never forget the generous sacrifices 
made for our country. Jlay our dead be enshrined 
in our hearts. May their graves be the altars of 
our grateful and reverential patriotism. 

And now, O God, bless Thou this memorial ! 

Bless it, O God, in honor of mothers who bade 
their sons do brave deeds : 

In honor of wives who wept for husbands who 
should never come back again : 

In honor of children whose heritage is their 
fallen fathers' heroic name : 

In honor of men and women who ministered to 
the hurt and the dying : 

But chiefly, O Cxod, in honor of men who counted 
not their lives dear when their country needed 
them ; of those alike who sleep beside the dust of 
their kindred or under the salt sea, or in nameless 
graves, where only Thine angels stand sentinels till 
the reveille of the resurrection morning. Protect 
it and let it endure, and unto the latest generation 
may its influence be for the education of the citi- 
zen, for the honor of civil life, for the advancement 
of the nation, for the blessing of humanity, and for 
the furtherance of Thy holy kingdom. 

Hear us, O our God ; we ask it in the name of 
Him who made proof of the dignity and who con- 
secrated the power of sacrifice in His blessed life 
and death, even in the name of Jesus Christ, the 
great captain of our salvation. Amen ! 
Comrades. — Arnen ! 



DEDICATION SERVICES. 3 1 

Commander. — Attention ! Post, , Dept. 

, G. A. R. In the name of the Grand Army 

of the Republic, I now dedicate this memorial shaft 
[or statue, or tablet, etc.]. I dedicate it to the 
memory of those who in the navy {the sailor on 
guard will saliite\ guarded our inland seas and 
ocean coasts, and fell in defence of the flag. I 
dedicate it to the memory of those who in the army 
\the soldier on guard will salute'\ fought for our hill- 
sides and valleys and plains, and fell in defence of 
the flag. I dedicate it to the memory of those who 
on land and on sea fought for the Union, and fell 
in defence of the flag [the guard of honor will 
salute and stand at salute']; who on land and on sea 
fought for the authority of the Constitution, and 
fell in defence of the flag; who on land and on sea 
fought for their country, and fell in defence of the 
flag. Comrades, salute the dead ! 

[Each comrade who is armed will present arms; those 
not armed will place the left hand open, fingers out- 
stretched, over the left breast, and with the right hand 
raise the hat or cap four inches above the head.] 

Commander {after a brief pause). — Attention ! /// 
place. Rest. 

Commander. — Mr. Mayor, our service of dedication is 
ended. In the name of my comrades I thank you, 
and those you represent, for your courtesy in per- 
mitting us, who are bound by special ties to them, 
to honor our dead. 

[The Mayor may then make a few remarks, or in- 
dicate to the band or choir that there will be music] 



DEDICATION SERVICES. 



Address. 

Music. 

Mayor. — Comm.inder, our exercises are ended. 

Commander. — Attention ! Post, , Dept. 

, G. A. R. As we close these services, the 

guard of honor is withdrawn^ the symbols of the 
army and navy are removed, the flag is lowered ; but 
the memorial we have dedicated remains, guarded by 
our dead. So long as it shall endure, it shall speak 
to us and to all of the loyalty and heroism in the 
army and navy, and of that significant national 
authority of which our flag is the symbol to every 
true American heart. 

Officer of the Day, remove the symbols. {After 
a pause.) Lower the flag. (After a pause.) Dis- 
miss the guard. 

Chaplain, pronounce the benediction. 

Chaplain. — The grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the 
Holy Spirit, be with us all. Amen ! 

Comrades. — Amen ! 

[The Commander will then, if necessary, escort the 

city or town officials and invited guests to Post Hall or 

other suitable place, and then dismiss parade, or dismiss 

the parade immediately at the close of the exercises. 
The special circumstances of the occasion will suggest 

what is best to be done; preserving, so far as possible, 

a soldierly method.] 



The Burial of the Dead, 



BURISL OF THE DEfiD, 



I. A Post may attend funerals of deceased com- 
rades, or of soldiers and sailors honorably discharged 
from the army or navy, when a request shall have been 
made by the deceased or his family or friends, upon 
order of the Commander or vote of the Post. 

II. The Post shall assemble at residence of deceased 
comrade, or at the place where religious services are to 
be held, and the Commander shall detail a sufficient 
number of comrades as pall-bearers, if so requested. 

III. The remains shall then be escorted to the grave 
or to limits of town or city, or otherwise as circumstances 
may dictate, in the order as laid down in Army Regula- 
tions: left in front, the Post preceding the hearse, and 
a guard of honor surrounding the remains. 

IV. The Officer of the Day shall, under the Com- 
mander, take charge of the pall-bearers and guard of 
honor. 

V. Arriving at the grave, the Post shall halt, open 
order, and allow the remains to pass to the front, when 
they shall be placed upon the bier. 

VI. The Post shall then be formed about the grave 
or tomb in most fitting manner appropriate to the occa- 
sion and the nature of the ground. 

VII. The last offices of respect due to the defend- 
ers of the Republic shall then be paid according to the 
following 



36 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 



RITUAL. 

Commander takes position at head of coffin. 

Chaplain takes position at foot of coffin. 

Officers and Past Commanders in rear of Commander. 

Post in rear of Chaplain. 

Colors to front. 

1. Co-^LMANDER. — Assembled to pay our last tribute 

of respect to this dead soldier (or sailor) of our 
Republic, let us unite in prayer. The Chaplain 
will invoke the Divine blessing. 

2. Prayer by Chaplain.— God of battles! Father 

of all ! amid these monuments of the dead we 
seek Thee with whom there is no death. Open 
every eye to behold Him who changed the night of 
death into morning. In the depths of our hearts 
we would hear the celestial word, 'T am the Res- 
urrection and the Life ; he that believeth in Me, 
though he were dead, yet shall he live." As com- 
rade after comrade departs, and we march on with 
ranks broken, help us to be faithful unto Thee and 
to each other. We beseech Thee, look in mercy on 
the widows and children of deceased comrades, 
and with Thine own tenderness console and comfort 
those bereaved by this event which calls us here. 
Give them ''the oil of joy for mourning, the gar- 
ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Heav- 
enly Father ! bless and save our country with the 
freedom and peace of righteousness, and, through 
Thy great mercy, a Saviour's grace, and Thy holy 
Spirit's favor, may we all meet at last in joy before 



151'RIAL OF THE DEAD. yj 



Thy throne in heaven. And to Thy great name 
shall be praise for ever and ever ! 
All Comrades, — Amen ! 

[3. If a choir be present, an appropriate hymn will 
now be sung.] 

[4. The Commander may then speak as follows, or, 
if he elects, extemporize:] 

Commander. — One by one, as the years roll on, we are 
called together to fulfil these last sad duties of 
respect to our comrades of the war. The present, 
full of the cares and i)leasures of civil life, fades 
away, and we look back to the time when, shoulder 
to shoulder on bloody battle fields, or around the 
guns of our men-of-war, we fought for our dear old 
flag. We may indulge the hope that the spirit with 
which, on land and sea, hardship, privation, dangers 
were encountered by our dead heroes — a spirit un- 
complaining, nobly, manfully obedient to the 
behest of duty, whereby to-day our Northern 
homes are secure and our loved ones rest in peace 
under the aegis of the flag — will prove a glorious 
incentive to the youth who, in the ages to come, 
may be called to uphold the destinies of our coun- 
try. As the years roll on we, too, shall have fought 
our battles through and be laid to rest, our souls 
following the long column to the realms above, as 
grim death, hour by hour, shall mark its victim. 
Let us so live that when that time shall come those 
we leave behind may say above our graves, ''Here 
lies the body of a true-hearted, brave, and earnest 
defender of the Republic." 



38 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 

First Comrade {layi7ig a wreath of evergreen or flowers 
upon the coflin). — In behalf of the Post, I give this 
tribute, a symbol of an undying love for comrades 
of the war. 

Si'XOND Comrade {Jayinga rose or flower upon the coflin^. 
—Symbol of purity, we offer at this lowly grave a 
rose. May future generations emulate the unselfish 
devotion of even the lowliest of our heroes. 

Third Comrade {layi/ig a laurel leaf upon the coflin). — 
List token of affection from comrades in arms, we 
crown these remains with a symbol of victory. 

[Then the Chaplain shall repeat the following, or 
make an address of about the same length :] 

L Haplain's Address. — The march of another com- 
rade is over^ and he lies down after it in the 
house appointed for all the living. Thus sum- 
moned, this open grave reminds us of the frailty of 
human life and the tenure by which we hold our 
own. '' In such an hour as ye think not, the Son 
of man cometh." 

It seems well we should leave our comrade to 
rest where over him will bend the arching sky, as 
it did in great love when he pitched his tent, or lay 
down, weary and footsore, by the way or on the 
battle-field for an hour's sleep. [As we leave our 
comrade to rest, no longer to hear the sound of the 
waves, or to float upon the bosom of the deep, no 
longer to sail beneath peaceful skies, or to be 
driven before the angry storm, may he find welcome 



BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 39 



in that land where there is no more sea."^'] As he 
was then, so he is still, — in the hands of the 
Heavenly Father. ''God giveth His beloved 
sleep." 

As we lay our Comrade down to rest, let us 
cherish his virtues and learn to imitate them. 
Reminded forcibly, by the vacant place so lately 
filled by him. that our ranks are thinning, let each 
one be so loyal to every virtue, so true to every 
friendship, so faithful in our remaining marches, 
that we shall be ready to fall out to take our 
places at the great review hereafter, not with 
doubt, but in faith that the merciful Captain of our 
salvation will call us to that fraternity which, on 
earth and in heaven, remains unbroken. {A pause 
for a jfwnient.^ Jesus saith, "Thy brother shall 
rise again. I am the Resurrection and the Life." 
( The body is deposited in the grave or tomb.^ Be- 
hold, the silver cord is loosed, the golden bowl is 
broken: we commit the body to the grave, where 
dust shall return to the earth, and the spirit to God 
who gave it. Earth to earth, ashts to ashes, dust 
to dust, looking for the resurrection and the life to 
come through our Lord Jesus Ciirist. 
Praver. 



" I suggest that the words enclosed in brackets be used at the 
burial of a sailor. — J. F. Loverixg, C.-in-Chief. 

NoTK. — The foregoing service was adopted by the National 
Encampment at New Haven, Conn., May 14 and 15, 1873. 



He that loseth his U/c for Jl/y su/a- shall find it." 



A MEMORIAL SERVICE, 

lO BE USED IN THE 

Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, 



Grateful and Devout Commemoration of Deceased 
Comrades. 



MettioHcif Service* 

[The Post will open without ceremony, the officers 
in uniform, and sentinels properly stationed; the friends 
and relatives of the deceased, present by invitation, 
seated in the body of the hall. The altar will be cov- 
ered with the national flag, draped black and white, 
and ornamented with flowers. A chair (or chairs, ac- 
cording to the number of deceased comrades), suitably 
draped, will be placed between the Post Commander's 
chair and the altar. The person appointed to deliver 
the address will be seated on the right of the Com- 
mander. A comrade will be detailed as drummer. 

The exercises will begin with a voluntary or chant, 
and proceed as follows:] 

Post Commander. — Adjutant, for what purpose is this 
meeting called? 

Adjutant. — To pay our tribute of respect to the mem- 
ory of our late comrade [or comrades] ■ . 



44 THE MEMORIAL SERVICE. 

Post Commander. — Have you a record of his [their] 
service in the cause of our country, and in the 
Grand Army of the Republic? 

Adjutant — Commander, I have. 

Post Commander. — You will read it. 

Adjutant. was born [here give date] in the 

town of , State of ; enlisted in Co. 

Reg't Volunteers, on the 

day of , 1 86 ; held the office [or offices] of 

, and was discharged , i86 . He 

joined Post, No. , Department of 

; held the office [or offices] of , and 

died , aged years. 

[The drummer will beat three rolls upon a muffled 
drum immediately after the reading of each record.] 

Posr Commander — The record is an honorable one, 
and as the memory of all faithful soldiers of the 
Republic should be cherished, and their record pre- 
served, I direct that it be placed in the archives of 
the Post for future reference. 

['i'he exercises will continue with a responsive ser- 
vice by the Chaplain of the Post and the comrades and 
friends present, or the choir, as may be thought best.] 

Chaplain. — "What man is that liveth and shall not see 
death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of 
the grave? If a man die, shall he live again?'' 

Comrades [or choir]. — ''Jesus Christ said, 'I am the 
Resurrection and the Life. He that believeth in 
Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And he 
that livetli and believeth in Me shall never die.' " 



THE MEMORIAL SERVICE. 4$ 



Chaplain. — " L?t not your heart bs troubled. P^jlieve 

in God ; believe also in Me. In My father's house 

are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for 

you." 
Comrades. — '' Blessed are the dead who die in the 

Lord. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest 

from their labors." 
Chaplain, — '' They shall hungerno more, neither thirst 

any more." 
Comrades. — " Neither shall the sun light on them, nor 

any heat." 
Chaplain. — "For the Lamb which is in the midst of 

the throne shall feed them and lead them unto 

living fountains of water." 
Comrades. — " And God shall wipe away all tears from 

their eyes." 
Chaplain. — '' There shall be no more death, neither 

sorrow, nor crying ; neither shall there be any more 

pain." 
Comrades. — " For the former things have passed away." 

[Then shall follow a hymn or chant by the choir. 
The comrades shall then form a square, enclosing the 
altar, the officers in front, the Chaplain at the altar.] 

Prayer. — By tiie (Chaplain, closing with the Lord's 

Prayer in concert. 
Chant. — By the choir. 

[The comrades will return to their places.] 



46 THE MEMORIAL SERVICE 



Reading of a brief selection of Scripture from the 
Ninetieth Psahii or the fifteenth chapter of the 
First Epistle to the Corinthians. 

Hymn. 

Address. 

doxology. 

[After which the Post shall be closed as follows :] 

Pes r Commander. — Senior Vice - Commander, how 
should all men live? 

Senior Vice-Commander. — With trust in God, and in 
love for one another. 

Post Commander. — Junior Vice - Commander, how 
should comrades of the Grand Army live ? 

Junior Vice-Commander. — Having on the whole armor 
of God, that they may be- able to withstand in the 
evil day. 

Post Commander. — The last enemy that shall be de- 
stroyed is death. 

Comrades.— We thank God, who give thus the victory 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Post Commander. — May the Almighty God, our Heav- 
enly Father, keep us by His gracious presence amid 
the conflicts of our mortal life, and at last receive 
us into everlasting peace. 

Comrades. — Amen ! 

Post Commander. — I now declare this Post closed. 

Note. — The foregoing service was prepared by the committee 
appointed by Par. 4, G. O. No. 4, Series of 1874, and approved by 
Par. I, G. O. No. 7, Series of 1874. 



Installation of Officers, 



NSTflLLSTION CEREMONIES, 



[The Department Commander shall detail a comrade 
to act as his representative in the installation of officers 
of Posts, who shall be designated for the time being as 
Mustering Officer. 

In cases where an officer is elected to fill a vacancy, 
he shall be installed by the P. C, unless the vacancy 
filled is that of P. C, when the senior P. P. C. will act. 

Should the M. O., from any cause, fail to be present 
at the time for installation, the senior P. P. C. will act 
as M. O. 

The M. O. will report at the encampment of the Post, 
passing the O. G. with the national countersign, and 
announce to the I. G. his name, rank in the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and the purpose of his visit. 

The I G. will call, " Officer of the Guard, the Muster- 
ing Officer! " 

The O. G. will retire, receive from the M. O. the 
order detailing him, and report to the P. C., who will 
then address the Post.] 

P. C. — Comrades, Comrade A B is now 

present for the purpose of installing the officers of 
this Post. You will receive him with proper 
honors, and pay the strictest attention during the 
ceremonies. Officer of the Day, you will retire to 
the anteroom and introduce the Mustering Officer. 



50 INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. 

[The O D. having retired, the P. C. will call up the 

Post, when the officers shall take position one pace in 

advance of their respective stations and draw sabres. 

The O. D. and M. O. will pass to the centre of the 

room, facing the P. C, and halt.] 

O. D. — Commander, I have the honor to introduce 

Comrade A B , who has been detailed 

to install the newly-elected officers of this Post. 

P. C. — Post, PRESENT, arms I 

[Comrades will salute by raising the right hand to 

visor of cap; sentinels within the camp will present 

arms, and officers will salute with sabres. 
•The M. O. will return the salute, and comrades will, 

at the order of the P. C, resume position of "Attention !" 

and sentinels " Carry, arms ! " j 

P. C. — Comrade, as the representative of our Depart- 
ment Commander, and as a comrade of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, we extend to you a soldiers' 
welcome. I liave the honor to turn over to you the 
command of this Post. We are ready to obey your 
instructions. 

[The M. O. will then take the position of the P. C, 
the P. C. stepping to the right.] {^One rap.) 

M. O. — Comrades, the purpose of my visit having been 
already made known to you, we will at once pro- 
ceed with our duties. 

Post Commander, Adjutant, and Quartermaster, 
you will present yourselves before the altar. {They 
do so.) 

Comrades, the Rules and Regulations require the 
Adjutant and Quartermaster to make out the re- 
ports of t!ie Post, and present the same to the Post 



INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. 5 1 



Commander, to be forwarded to Department Head- 
quarters. Adjutant and Quartermaster, have you 
each performed this duty ? 

A. AND Q. M. — We have. 

M, O, — Post Commander, have these reports, with the 
per capita tax, been duly forwarded? 

P. C. — They have. 

[Should the officers be unable to answer these questions 
affirmatively, the M. O. will require the reports to be 
made before proceeding further.] 

M. O. — Commander, has the bond of the Quartermaster 
been duly executed and delivered to you as required 
by the Rules and Regulations? 

[Unless answered affirmatively, the M. O. will decline 
to install the Q. M. 

The P. C, Adjt., and Q. M. will then resume their 
stations.] 

M. O. — The Adjutant will announce the officers elect. 
( The Adjutant does so. ) 

[Note. — Should any of the retiring officers be among 
those to be installed, they will vacate their stations, 
which shall be filled by temporary details.] 

M. O. — Officer of the Day, present for installation the 
Senior and Junior Vice-Commanders, Surgeon, 
Quartermaster, Officer of the Day, and Officer of 
the Guard. 

[The officers will be placed, in order of rank, in front 
of tlie altar.] 



IXSTALLATIOX CEREMONIES. 



M. O. — Comrades, you have been designated by the 
suffrages of your comrades to fill the various offices 
of this Post. It is important tliat the duties of your 
positions should be promptly and intelligently dis- 
charged, and I therefore call your attention to Art. 
VIII., Chap. II., Rules and Regulations. {The 
M. O. will read the following sections .•) 

Sect. 2. The Vice Post Commanders shall perform 
such duties as are required of them by the Ritual, and in 
the absence of the Commander shall take his place in 
the order of their rank. If neither of them are present, 
the Post shall elect a Commander pro tempore. 

Sect. 4. The Quartermaster shall hold the funds, 
securities, vouchers, and other property of the Post, and 
fill all requisitions drawn by the Adjutant and approved 
by the Post Commander; he shall collect all moneys 
due the Post, giving his receipt therefor; he shall keep 
an account with each member, and notify all comrades 
in arrears; he shall render a monthly account in writing 
to the Post of its finances, which shall be referred to an 
auditing committee appointed by the Post. He shall 
make and deliver to the Post Commander all reports 
and returns required of Post Quartermasters by Chap, 
v., Art. II., and shall deliver to his successor in office, 
or to any one designated by the Post, all moneys, books, 
and other property of the Post in his possession, or un- 
der his control. He shall give security for the faithful 
discharge of his duties as provided in Chap. V., Art. 
VII. 

Sect. 5. The Surgeon shall discharge such duties in 
connection with his office as may be required of him. 
{And also to Art. II., Chap. VII.) 

Sect. 4. The Quartermaster of each Post shall, througli 
the Post Commander, make a quarterly return to the 
Assistant Quartermaster-General of the Department 0:1 



JXbTAI.I.ATJON C1K];.\:( XJIS. 5- 



the first days of January, April, fuly, and October, on 
blanks of Form B. 

You are also expected to perform such other 
duties as may be required of you by the Ritual, the 
By-Laws of this Post, and the constituted authori- 
ties of the Grand Army of the Republic. Are you 
ready to assume these duties? 

Officers. — We are. 

M. O.-You will each raise your right hand and repeat 
after me the obligation of office: 

^ ('^ B ), on my word of honor as 

a man and as a comrade of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, do solemnly pledge myself to pefform 
faithfully and impartially all the duties of the office 
upon which I am about to enter. So help me 
God! 

M. O. — Officer of tlie Day, conduct these comrades to 
their respective stations: 

[The O. D. will conduct the officers separately to 
their stations, commencing with the lowest in rank The 
retiring officers will rise, salute, invest their successors 
with the insigni.i of office, and then turn over to them 
all property of the Post in their possession.] 

O.— Officer of the Day, present for installation the 
Chaplain elect. 

O. — Comrade, you liave been selected by your 
comrades to conduct the religious exercises of this 
Post. The Rules and Regulations of the Grand 
Army of the Republic also require you to officiate 



M. 
M. 



54 INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. 

at the funerals of comrades, when attended by the 
Post, and to perform such other duties in connec- 
tion with your office as the Post may direct. Are 
you willing to as^Aime and perform the duties of 
this office in a reverent spirit? 

Chaplain. — I am. 

M. O. — Comrade, it is expected that you will so dig- 
nify your office that your example may be followed 
by all your comrades, and that there may be no re- 
proach cast on the religion whose precepts it is 
your duty to recite for our counsel and guidance. 

^l o. — The Officer of the Day will conduct the Chap- 
lain to his station. 

]\I Q. — The Post Commander elect will now present 
himself for installation. 
[The P. C. will appear before the altar.] 

Comrade, the fact that you have been elected by 
the comrades of this Post to the responsible office 
of Commander indicates that they have satisfac- 
tory confidence in your ability and integrity, and 
that they feel assured that you will strictly and im- 
partially discharge all the duties incumbent upon 
you. 

They confide the welfare of this Post to your 
keeping; any breach of this trust will act injuri- 
ously upon the Grand Army, and bring discredit 
upon every comrade. Let their confidence, there- 
fore, be fully justified by your fidelity. You are, 
by virtue of your position, a member of the De- 
partment Encampment, >nd it is expected that you 



INSTALLATION CLKKMONIES. 55 



will attend its meetings, and exliibit an interest 
generally in the necessary work of i)erfecting and 
maintaining our organization. Realizing fully these 
responsibilities, are you willing to take the obliga- 
tion of your office? 

P. C— I am. 

M. O. — Raise your right hand toward heaven, and re- 
peat after me the obligation of your office : 

I (A B ), ha\ing been elected 

Commander of Post, No. , Depart- 
ment of , Grand Army of the Republic, 

on my word of honor as a man and a comrade of 
the Grand Army of the Republic, do most solemnly 
pledge myself to faithfully and impartially perform, 
in letter and spirit, all the duties incumbent upon 
the office upon which I am about to enter. I 
promise to obey the lawful orders of my superior 
officers, and to exact the obedience of others 
thereto, and to the full extent of my abilities and 
opportunities to advance the interest of this Post 
and of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Should this Post disband during my term of 
office, or before the installation of my successor, I 
solemnly promise to close up its affairs honorably, 
and to forward all the property of the Department, 
including charter, rituals, books of record, and Post 
papers, to Department Headquarters, as required 
by the Rules and Regulations. So help me God ! 



56 INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. 



M. O. — Comrade, you will now announce the name of 

your Adjutant. 

P, C. — I an!iounce Comrade as Adjutant. 

M. O. — Comrade will present himself before 

the altar. 

[The Adjutant takes position at the left of the Post 
Commander.] 

M. O. — Comrade, in accordance with the Rules and 
Regulations, the Commander has appointed you 
Adjutant of this Post. As he depends greatly upon 
you for the proper management of the affairs of the 
Post, for which he is responsible to the Department 
Headquarters, this appointment proves that he 
places great confidence in your ability. Your 
duties, as recited by Sect. 3, Art. VHI., Chapter 
II., Rules and Regulations, are manifold and 
laborious. 
[Reads Sect. 3, Art. VHI., Chap. II., Rules and 
Regulations.] 

If your work be done in an imperfect manner, it 
will greatly retard the progress of this Post. If, 
however, you give proper thought and attention to 
your duties, you will materially aid the organiza- 
tion and be of great service to the Post Com- 
mander ; and you are expected to use every oppor- 
tunity to prove yourself worthy the honor bestowed 
on you. 

Raise } our right hand, and repeat after me the 
obligation of your office : 

I (A B ), on my word of honor as 

a man and a comrade of the Grand Army of the 



INSTALLATION CLKKMONIES. 57 



Republic, do solemnly pledge myself to perform 
strictly and promptly all the duties incumbent upon 
me as Adjutant. So hklp me God ! 

M. O. — The Adjutant will nominate his Sergeant- 
Major. 

Adjutant.- -I noniinate A B . 

M. O. — The Quartermaster will nominate his Quarter- 
master Sergeant. 

Q M.--I nominate C D . 

M O. — Post Commander, do you confirm these nomi- 
nations? 

P. C— I do. 

M. O. — Comrades A B and C 

D will present themselves before the altar. 

M. O. — Comrades you are to assist the Adjutant and 
Quartermaster, respectively, in the discharge of 
their duties. You will raise your right hand, and 
repeat after me the obligation of your office : 

I (A B , and C D ), 

on my word of honor as a man and a comrade 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, do solemnly 
pkdge myself to perform faithfully and impartially 
all the duties of the office upon which 1 am about 
to enter. So help me God ! {^Tivo raps, calling 
lip the office?' s.) 
M. O.— Comrades, in accordance with the re(|uire- 
ments of our Order, I have performed my duty in 
thus installing you into your respective offices. It 
remains for you to prove whether this night's work 
has been a good one. Jt is expected that each will 
at once make himself entirely familiar with his 



58 INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. 

duties, whether specifically prescribed or not, and 
become thoroughly acquainted with the Rules and 
Regulations of the Grand Army of the Ivepublic, 
the Ritual, the By-Laws of the Post, and the Orders 
from National and Department Headcpiarters. 
Exercise a spirit of fraternal confidence and good 
fellowship,, and be ready to extend a helping hand 
to every comrade when opportunity offers. Be 
true to yourselves and to the Order, and this Post 
will prosper. {TJiree raps.) 

Comrades of the Post, I now present to you the 
officers of your choice. I counsel you to aid them 
in the performance of their duties ; to strengthen 
their hands, and to encourage them in their labors. 
With your help their term of office may be highly 
successful ; without it, the result of their labors 
must be barren. 

I invoke all to cherish the principle of Fraternity ; 
let there be no cold reserve in your intercourse ; let 
the disparity of rank or position necessary for 
active service be laid aside here, and each one re- 
gard all others as comrades. Inculcate a spirit of 
true charity. Seek out and aid the deserving poor, 
who would rather starve than press their necessities 
upon you. Let them know that the help the 
soldier gives to his crippled comrade, or to the 
widows and orphans of the fallen, is not the alms- 
giving that parades itself for the commendation of 
the world, but a pure and holy offering, tendered 
in the spirit of our holy religion, — the practical 
exemplification of the Golden-Rule. Finally, com- 



INSTALLATION CEREMONIES. $9 



rades, liaving proven your Loyalty to our country, 
be loyal to each other. If your comrade is worthy 
of your friendshi}), stand by him though the whole 
world assail him. 

Let us cherish and strengthen a feeling of depend- 
ence and confidence in each other, and show to the 
world that we are worthy of having served our 
country in the Grand Army of the Republic. 

[The Post Commander will now take his position, 
the M. O. stepping to the right for this purpose, hand- 
ing the gavel to the P. C; O. I), and A., S. M. and 
Q. M. S. taking their respective stations. 

If the M. O. wishes then to retire, he will advance to 
the centre of the room, and there be joined by the Offi- 
cer of the Day.] 

P. C. — Comrade, you will accept the thanks of this Post 
and its officers for the manner in which you have 
discharged your duties. It will give us pleasure at 
all times to have you visit us. Bear with you our 
fraternal wishes for your own welfare, and report to 
the Department officers that we shall do all in our 
power to advance the interests of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. Post, present, arms ! 

[Post will give the usual salute. When the M. O. 
has retired past the I. G., the order will be given, 
"Carry, arms!"] {^One rap.) 



Note. — Adopted in accordance willi General Order No. 13, 
Series of 1871, from National Headquarters. 



Form of Inspection, 



National Headquarters, G. A. R., | 
Philadelphia, Feb. 28, 1884. J 

The following Form of Inspection has been prepared 
in accordance with the action of the National Encamp- 
ment at Denver, and all officers and comrades are re- 
quired to observe the same. 

By command of Robert B. Beath, 

Commander-i?i- Chief 
Jno. M. Vanderslice, 

Adjutant General. 



FORM OF INSPECTION 



Ox occasion of a regular inspection of a Post the fol- 
lowing form will be used : — 

The Inspecting Officer, having previous to the opening 
of the Post notified the Post Commander of his intention 
to inspect the Post, will, upon the calling of the Post to 
order, take his seat in the body of the Post room, the 
better to observe the opening ceremony and the working 
of the Post. 

The regular order of business, as provided in the 
Ritual, will be attended to, and after muster, if any, or if 
none be had on the night of inspection, then, when the 
order of business has reached the portion " New Busi- 
ness," the Inspecting Officer will proceed to the rear of 
altar, salute, and retire to the ante room. 

The P. C. will then rise and announce to the Post that 
by Special (or General) Order, No. from head- 
quarters, Comrade will now proceed to inspect 

this Post, and caution the comrades that during the cere- 
mony strict attention should be given ; he will then 
proceed to explain the form that will be used during 
the inspection. When the Commander has concluded 
these remarks, he will demand: "Adjutant^ are your 
books and papers in form for inspection, orders properly 
filed, and papers in order? " 



FORM OF INSri:CTlON. 63 



The P. C. will then demand : " Quarlermaster, are 
your books all posted, and vouchers properly filed, and 
ready for inspection ? " 

The P. C will then in<juire in like manner: " Officer 
of the Guard, are the arms and accoutrements prepared 
for insi)ection? " {Answer.^ 

Upon receiving answers to these in([uiries the P. C. 
will say : '' The Officer of the Day will act as escort to 
the Inspecting Officer." 

Tlie Inside Sentinel will then give one rap on the 
door to indicate readiness, whereupon the Inspecting 
Officer will ra]) for admittance. The Sentinel, upon 
opening the door, will demand, ''Who goes there?" 
The Inspecting Officer will announce his name and 
position. (^At the same time giving; DepaHmcnt couu 
tcrsigii to the Sentitiel.') 

The Sentinel will announce : " Officer of the Guard ! 
Comrade Assistant (or Dept.) Inspector." 

The O. G. wnll salute the P. C, and announce that 
the Insi)ecting Officer is in waiting. 

The P. C. will say : " Officer of the Day, you will 
proceed to the outpost, and escort the Inspecting 
Officer." 

The O. D. will advance to rear of altar, salute, and 
proceed to the inner door, and command, "Sentinel, 
you will admit the Inspecting Officer." 
i^Tliree Raps.~) 

The O. D. will then escort the Inspecting Officer to 
rear of altar. 

The O. D. will then say : '' Commander, I have the 



I 

64 FORM OF INSPECTION. 






pleasure to introduce Cunirade 


- Assistant 


(or 



r)j|)artrnent) Inspector. 

The P. C. will order " Present Arms !" to which the 
Insi)ecting Officer will reply by saluting. 

The P. C. will then order, " Carry Arms! " and say : 
'' Comrade, the Post is ready for inspection, and we 
await your orders." 

Then I. O. will request the Commander to seat the 
Comrades, which done, he will proceed to the Adjutant's 
desk, inspect the books and orders, see that the orders 
are correctly filed, and ascertain if any are missing. 
After procuring such information as he desires from the 
Adjutant, he will, (under escort of the O. D.) proceed 
to the Q. M. desk (passing in rear of altar and saluting,) 
and ascertain from the Q. M. the financial standing of 
the Post, the amount expended for charity during the 
year, the number of Comrades in good stand iiig, and 
those suspended, after which the I. O. will receive from 
the Post Commander the answers to the inquiries as 
required on Form H. 

The I. O. will then announce {salu/ing Couvnander.y. 
" The inspection is closed ; with your permission I will 
now retire," and proceeds 10 rear of the altar, facing 
P. C. 

The P. C. will now call up the Post : " Present 
Arms ! " The I. O. will acknowledge salute, and retire. 
The P. C. will then seat the Comrades, and proceed 
with the regular order of business. 

THE END. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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